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For those looking to immigrate to the US, the process can feel overwhelming due to the variety of available options and the numerous investment immigration programs that cater to different needs.  There are US visa investment programs designed to meet various circumstances, and choosing the right option is crucial for a successful application. By opting for a visa by investment immigration programs, you can obtain residency and citizenship in the US through a financial contribution. This will allow you and your family to immigrate to the US and, in some cases apply for a US green card, which can later lead to US citizenship. There are other options for businesses wishing to bring staff into the country that do not necessarily lead to permanent status but allow them to work in the US for sustained periods. Other mitigating factors for certain applications involve your current country of residence’s trade agreement with the US, your capital, business intentions, and your current country of residence or citizenship.

US EB-5 Immigrant Investor Visa Programme

The US EB-5 immigrant investor visa is arguably the most prominent program, offering a path to US investment citizenship to those who meet specific criteria. This program requires an investment that creates at least ten jobs for American workers. The funds are typically invested passively in approved projects or developments. After five years, if the project is a success, your money will be returned. These types of investments are deemed ‘at risk’, as the government wants these to be true investments with a chance of reward and risk of loss. This EB-5 immigration program provides US green cards for you and your family and the option to apply for citizenship after maintaining the green card for 5 years and fulfilling the residency requirements of 2.5 years out of 5 years of physical residency in the US.

US EB-5 Visa Investment Options:

Two types of investment options make you eligible for an EB-5 visa:

  1. EB-5 Visa Investment in Regional Centers
  2. EB-5 Visa Direct Investment

1. EB-5 Visa Investment in Regional Centers

The regional center investment allows your capital to be invested in a new commercial enterprise affiliated with a regional center (an administrative body approved by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services – USCIS). The geographic areas for investment are chosen to promote economic growth and offer a $900,000 reduction in investment if it also falls in a Targeted Employment Area (TEA). This EB-5 visa program dictates that the investment must come from proven sources, making the source of funds portion of the application most important.

2. EB-5 Visa Direct Investment

For those who want more control over their funds, the direct EB-5 investment option lets you invest in your business proposal. The business must employ at least ten people for a minimum of two years. Similar to the regional center option, you may qualify for a reduced investment if your business is located in a USCIS-approved location. The processing time for an EB-5 direct investment is roughly two years.

Know More Difference Between Two Investment Options: EB-5 Direct Investments vs. EB-5 Regional Center Investments

E2 Treaty Investor Visa

To oversee your investment and enter the U.S. early, you can get an early entry by combining it with an E-2 visa application, which generally takes around six months. E-2 investment visa for citizens of countries with an investment treaty in place with the US, it is possible to take the route of an E-2 visa. These applications are the quickest route into the US, although do not offer permanent residency or a green card. Granted for up to five years, the E-2 visa has varying levels of requirements for investment, determined by the industry in which you invest. These visas are commonplace for individuals who genuinely want to start and operate a business in the US. There is nothing to stop an EB-5 direct investor from gaining entry first through the E-2 program, becoming both the sponsor and the applicant while waiting for their EB-5 to be processed.

L-1 Intracompany Transferee Visa

An L-1 intracompany Transferee visa is a non-immigrant visa category in the United States that is designed to bring in executives, directors, or specialist knowledge employees of foreign-based companies into the US for a period of up to seven years. The L-1 is also extended to business owners who wish to open branches, subsidiaries, or affiliates of their company abroad in the US. These visas are used by companies wishing to establish an office in the US. The requirements are that the applicant has worked in a management position for one in the last three years, outside of the US for the same company. This can also include parent companies, subsidiaries, affiliates, or branch offices of the company outside the US. With the L-1 visa, there is no quota. Successful applicants will be granted a three-year stay, with the option to extend to seven. After seven years the L-1 visa holder must have another plan or option to stay in the US. Often the L-1 visa is succeeded by the plan to do an EB-1C and get a green card through that process after a couple of years rather than continuing on an L-1.

Immigration Consultancy in Dubai

Step Global, an immigration consultancy based in Dubai, specializes in citizenship and residency by investment programs. They can assist you with your applications for the Portugal Golden Visa, the US EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program, the Canada Start-Up Visa, the Caribbean Citizenship Program, and the UAE Golden Visa.

FAQs

While the U.S. EB-5 visa program is a relatively low-risk investment route for applicants, there are always inherent risks associated with any investment, even the most low-risk ones. Some of the risks include low returns, policy changes, and operational risks.

Yes, through the U.S. EB-5 visa program, applicants can gain a green card and eventually citizenship in the USA.

There are a few other investment based U.S. visa programs, however none of them are as secure and can match the approval rates of the EB-5 Program. These include the E-2 Treaty Investor Visa, E-1 Treaty Trader Visa and L-1 Intracompany Transferee Visa.

Picture of by Deepanshu Choudhry

by Deepanshu Choudhry

Legal Manager, Step Global

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